Chapter 21

The shop servant left with a smile.

Rong Xi accepted the invitation and took a seat, directly opposite Liang Siwen. Seeing the young boy wholly absorbed in the food, rather adorable in his earnestness, he could not help feeling a little regret when he thought of what would happen to him in the future.

Though he watched the boy, his gaze was clear, without the slightest trace of lewdness. Chen Chuangu felt considerably relieved and became even more convinced that there had to be some misunderstanding.

He gave Chen Dalang a hint, but Chen Dalang merely continued tasting the dishes. Yet after only a few breaths, he set down his chopsticks and did not move again.

"Do the dishes not suit your taste?" Chen Chuangu asked.

Hearing this, Liang Siwen also raised his head to look at Chen Dalang.

"I'm not hungry," Chen Dalang replied flatly.

Rong Xi had lived with him for more than ten days and naturally knew how picky his palate was. Seeing this, he said, "Since old friends have met again, if Young Master Chen is free tomorrow, Xi would like to host a meal at Rong Residence. I hope you will honor me with your presence."

He knew Liang Siwen's identity: Prince Qin's adopted son.

To travel with Prince Qin's adopted son and even take charge of matters—this Chen Dalang's identity could not possibly be underestimated.

Rong Xi had no desire to pry into others' private affairs, nor did he care about their identities. Chen Dalang had given him jade; he ought to repay that kindness in some way.

At this, Chen Dalang's expression eased slightly, a smile lingering at the corners of his eyes. "The honor is mine."

Liang Siwen was even more bewildered. "Father?"

Why, when they clearly knew Rong Xi had once humiliated him, were Father and Uncle Chen still treating him with such courtesy and politeness?

It was not that he held any resentment. He was merely curious.

Rong Xi was holding his cup and sipping tea when he heard the two words from Liang Siwen's mouth. He nearly spat it out at once. Though he barely managed to hold it in, he choked until his head swam and his face flushed scarlet.

Ever since their first meeting, Rong Dalang had always been generous and courteous, solemn and reserved. He had never been so discomposed.

Chen Dalang's gaze softened slightly, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

Chen Chuangu, seeing how pitiful he looked, reached out and patted his back. "Eldest Brother, you must be careful when drinking water."

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Chen." Rong Xi wiped the water from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

Liang Siwen also stopped eating to look at him. Seeing him cough until his eyes had gone red, tears nearly welling out, he did not know why, but he cast aside his former prejudice and softened. "Be more careful."

As expected of the protagonist Liang Siwen—his heart was kind.

Rong Xi smiled faintly, his gaze exceedingly gentle. "Thank you, young master."

Liang Siwen seemed somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. He gave a soft huff and lowered his head to eat.

After learning that Chen Dalang was in fact the famed Prince Qin, Rong Xi gradually calmed after his brief loss of composure.

He simply had not expected Prince Qin, known as Yama, to be so young and handsome.

"Xi has matters to attend to and will not disturb Young Master Chen, Brother Chen, and Young Master Liang as you dine. Xi shall take his leave."

Now that he knew Chen Dalang's identity, he understood that Prince Qin must have important business if he had come to Mengshan County in plain clothes.

Qin Ke nodded coldly. Chen Chuangu was somewhat reluctant to part, but thinking that he could visit Rong Residence for a meal tomorrow, he was filled with anticipation.

Only Liang Siwen continued eating to his heart's content.

After Rong Xi left, the shop servant brought another dish and set it on the table.

Not only Qin Ke and the other two, but the rest of the diners in the hall were astonished as well, all asking what this new dish was.

The shop servant patiently explained. Seeing the diners' astonished expressions, he felt deeply satisfied.

The name tofu instantly became wildly popular and spread throughout the city.

Chen Chuangu scooped some up with a spoon. It trembled and quivered as though it might fall apart, so he swallowed it in one bite. At once, he found it tender, smooth, and refreshing, and praised it again and again.

"Fresh! Tender! Delicious!"

Liang Siwen was already speechless.

Qin Ke tasted only one bite, then did not touch his chopsticks again.

"Why aren't you eating?" Chen Chuangu asked in surprise.

Qin Ke glanced at him. "I'm not hungry."

Rong Dalang would be cooking personally tomorrow, so naturally he had to save room to savor it slowly.

Unaware of what he was thinking, Chen Chuangu and Liang Siwen polished off the entire plate of tofu, eating until their bellies were stretched uncomfortably full.

After returning to the inn, Qin Ke suddenly asked Liang Siwen, "Why did Rong Dalang humiliate you?"

Chen Chuangu rolled his eyes. What kind of question was that? Though Rong Dalang did not seem like a depraved man, he still should not question the victim like that.

"Father, I heard he likes men." Liang Siwen blushed somewhat.

He did not consider himself handsome. His features were more heroic than delicate, nothing like the soft beauty of male courtesans. He did not know why Rong Dalang had forced himself upon him.

"Before this, had the two of you ever had any dealings?"

Qin Ke was naturally not firing an arrow without a target; he trusted his intuition.

Liang Siwen thought for a moment, then said softly, "No."

Though it could not be ruled out that Rong Xi had been stirred by beauty at first sight, most coincidences in this world were the work of men.

"Once we return to the capital, investigate this matter thoroughly."

Qin Ke had always been indifferent, yet he suddenly cared about this sort of matter. Liang Siwen thought he was concerned for him and felt a little delighted, unable to stop a smile from appearing.

"Mhm!"

After leaving Gourmet Pavilion, Rong Xi went to the Hu Residence to see Hu Yulin.

"Eldest Brother, look."

Hu Yulin placed two items on the table and unfolded a drawing as well.

The moment Rong Xi saw the two things on the table, he was overjoyed. One was potatoes, and the other corn—both delicious, sweet food crops!

"Brother Xuan Shi, excellent! Excellent!"

It was rare to see him so excited. Hu Yulin could not help being infected by his mood and laughed heartily with him.

Author's note:

Thank you, darlings, for the mines and nutrient solution~ Kisses to you all~

The heavens did not cooperate. At the Hour of the Ox, a fine drizzle began to fall.

Rong Xi woke with a start from his dream. Listening to the lingering rain outside, he found himself unable to fall asleep again.

The window paper was once more swept up by the wind and rain, slapping against the lattice with a howling rustle.

It would be nice if there were glass. Eyes open, he sighed once more.

The secluded Rong Residence remained as peaceful as ever. Yet Mengshan County was in an uproar amid the rainy night.

County Magistrate Cao, who oversaw the law, was suddenly detained and awaited escort to the capital. When flawless evidence was laid before him, he could no longer rant and bluster.

Qin Ke wore black robes, his face cold and severe.

"If you confess the mastermind, perhaps your life may be spared."

A mere county magistrate did not have the ability to monopolize the iron-smelting method alone.

Nor was that all. When they had previously taken refuge at Rong Residence, the county magistrate had sent men to search from house to house. That, too, must have been on the mastermind's orders.